Because Qin did not answer the River God's question within the stipulated time, this behavior was deemed a show of disrespect to the River God's dignity, and she was consequently deprived of half her soul and abilities...
With her soul damaged, Qin closed her eyes, her legs went weak, and she was about to fall to the ground.
Fortunately, Feng Yi was quick-witted and caught her.
Feng Yi had not expected such an outcome.
Feng Yi's original intention was that, given Qin's upright and kind nature, she would absolutely answer the question honestly and choose the sword that rightfully belonged to her.
This way, he could prove he was not a charlatan and also use the River God's produce as an apology gift, to make amends with the other party.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was that Qin would exceed the time limit!
Alas~
Fate plays tricks on people!
Fortunately, Feng Yi had brought the golden bell that could heal soul damage before he left, so there was still room for recovery.
But just then, an untimely conversation drifted in from outside the door...
"Miss Barbara! What can I help you with, coming so late?"
Knight Wood, on duty at the Knights' headquarters' confinement room, greeted Barbara warmly as she entered with a teacup.
"Good evening, Sir Knight Wood. Barbara offers you her sincere greetings. Is Acting Grand Master Jean... Oh, no, is Grand Master Jean in? I've brought her some invigorating drinks..."
Barbara smiled at the on-duty Wood, inquiring about Grand Master Jean, but almost let slip a word.
"So Miss Barbara is looking for Grand Master Jean. Grand Master Jean has been working in her office since this afternoon and hasn't left...
Not long ago, Searcher Knight Amber came to see Grand Master Jean with a strange teapot, but she left soon after...
After that, I heard some sword-dancing sounds from Grand Master Jean's office. I guess Grand Master Jean might have been tired from work and was stretching..."
Wood's eyes fell upon the cute and beautiful Mondstadt girl before him, and his mouth opened, prattling on endlessly.
"Thank you for the information, Sir Knight Wood. If I don't hurry, the drink for Grand Master Jean will get cold. So, Barbara will excuse herself now!"
Barbara found Wood's enthusiasm a bit overwhelming and quickly took her leave, though not without maintaining her nun's etiquette.
"Is that so? Then please feel free, Miss Barbara. If you need anything, you can always find me!"
Knight Wood, though somewhat reluctant to end the conversation, returned her knightly courtesy and reluctantly concluded their chat.
"Grand Master Jean, are you in? Barbara is coming in~"
Hearing Barbara's knock and glancing at the sleeping Jean in his arms, Feng Yi suddenly felt that something was seriously wrong.
If Barbara were to stumble upon this scene, he would surely be accused of home invasion and assault.
That would be like mud falling into the crotch of his pants – even washing in the Yellow River wouldn't get him clean, and it might even make things worse!
Given this, his only option was to take Jean and hide in the Serenitea Pot until she woke up, then explain everything.
As Feng Yi lifted the lid of the Serenitea Pot and went inside with Jean, he belatedly realized that he should have opened the window to create the illusion that Jean had jumped out.
Indeed, it was his first time doing something so dishonest, and his planning was lacking.
Creak~
Barbara, receiving no response from her sister after a long while, directly opened the office door. Upon entering, she was surprised to find her sister nowhere inside!
But Knight Wood, who was on duty tonight, had clearly told her that her sister had not left the office at all tonight!
Moreover, the office doors and windows were tightly shut, clearly indicating that her sister had not left through the window.
Could her sister have vanished into thin air?!
Barbara placed the cup of invigorating drink on her sister's desk and then looked around the room.
After scanning the area, aside from some signs of disarray on the scattered pages of books, there was nothing particularly unusual.
The messy pages could be attributed to her sister stretching and practicing swordplay, as Knight Wood had mentioned.
However, the teapot placed on the desk caught Barbara's attention.
According to Knight Wood, this strangely shaped teapot was brought by Searcher Knight Amber. Amber must know something, so Barbara decided to go find Amber and ask for clarification.
With this thought, Barbara hurried out of the Knights' headquarters, ignoring even Knight Wood's calls from behind her.
Inside the Serenitea Pot, Feng Yi took out the golden bell to heal Qin's damaged soul.
Based on Feng Yi's experiments and conclusions, one use of the golden bell was sufficient to heal a normal person's soul damage.
The soul of the Dragon King, Ruotuo, was of the immortal and divine level, with a density far exceeding that of ordinary people, hence requiring multiple applications.
After the healing was complete, Yuanbao, carrying a struggling fat rabbit, approached Feng Yi...
"Daddy, this fat rabbit is too picky. It will definitely get skinny in the future. Why don't we take advantage of it while it's still fat..."
Yuanbao chuckled, suggesting to cut their losses.
Feng Yi took the fat rabbit and asked Yuanbao to look after Qin for a while...
...............
"Amber! Amber!"
After leaving the Knights' headquarters, Barbara inquired from various sources and finally learned Amber's whereabouts.
"Barbara! I'm here. Why are you looking for me in such a hurry? Is there any trouble? Searcher Knight Amber is always ready to help!"
Amber, seeing Barbara running towards her breathlessly, patted her chest and said earnestly.
"Ah... puff... Am... ber~, that teapot you left... in Grand Master Jean's office..."
Barbara's rapid run had left her gasping for air, making Amber anxious.
"You mean the strangely shaped teapot on Grand Master Jean's desk? I found it while patrolling outside the city this evening. Judging by its craftsmanship, it should be cargo from Liyue. Grand Master Jean said she would ask Sister Lisa tomorrow before looking for the teapot's owner... Barbara, why are you asking about this? Has Grand Master Jean already figured out the teapot's origin and sent you to inform me?"
Barbara was panting, speaking too slowly. The fiery-tempered Amber couldn't wait. Hearing Barbara mention the teapot, she recounted the whole incident in one go.
"N-no, it's not that. Grand Master Jean vanished silently from her office! I suspect it has something to do with that strange teapot, so I came to ask you..."
Barbara's breathing gradually stabilized as she informed Amber of her true purpose.
"What? Grand Master Jean vanished into thin air?! When I went there not long ago, Grand Master Jean was still working in her office! How could this be..."
Amber was extremely surprised. In just these past ten-odd minutes, Grand Master Jean had inexplicably disappeared?
This is too strange!
Could it really be related to that teapot?!